Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
24 September, 2012
Sound View Community Center, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Russ Carlo (Alternate), Harry Plaut, Joseph Camean (Alternate)
Frank Maratta (Alternate)
Also present: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley; members of the public.
Absent: David Kelsey
7.37p Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Alternate Russ Carlo seated for the absent Dave Kelsey.
7.38p Approval of Minutes: Joann Lishing moved to approve August 10 minutes, with changes from Mr. Camean. Seconded by Russ Carlo. Motion carried. 5-0
Joann Lishing motioned to table approval of August 27 minutes. Harry Plaut seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
7.44 Correspondence: No Correspondence
7.45: Public Comment:
Mr. Pappalardo asked members of the public to reserve comment on park proposal until the Public Comment section after the presentation.
No public comment.
7.46 Mr. Pappalardo presented the proposal, narrating along with a slide presentation detailing the history of Sound View and the vision for the future. Slide presentation available in its entirety on Town website at the Sound View Commission page.
8.31 Jennifer Hillhouse, Griswold Point Road, asked if the stickers could be ripped off or transferred. Selectman Sibley said there were safeguards against this. He had used a kiosk system this weekend that was based on space number. The patron enters the number of the parking space and purchases a specific block of time. The meter monitor tracks all parking activity via a handheld device connected to the system.
Lenny Corto, Sr., (Lenny’s on the Beach), asked about the parking rates. Frank Pappalardo explained that the rates at the town lot had been reduced this year from last year’s rates.
Mrs. Hillhouse asked about the proposed bike path, saying that there are some places between here and Smiths Neck that have no shoulder. Mr. Pappalardo said that the DOT engineer who reviewed the proposal lives in the area and rode the location and said he didn’t see any problems. Obtaining any additional property is not part of the proposal. According to our engineers and the DOT engineers the bike path is doable without encroaching on any property.
Lindsey Maratta said she was concerned about reductions in parking, and suggested decreasing the size of the park to allow for more parking. Frank Pappalardo explained that the size of the park was based on the elevation grading needed for restrooms. There is also an overcrowding problem, which causes quality of life issues for residents and expenses for the town. There is a need to balance. One of the park proposals called for eliminating parking in the town lot entirely. The Commission immediately vetoed that idea. We understand that we need parking there. The bottom line is without the bike path/alternative transportation, there will be no restrooms. The reduction in parking is necessary to establish a destination with multiseasonal use for the entire town, and a tourist destination.
Lori May, Hartford Avenue, stated that many of the taxpayers don’t want more parking spaces.
Mr. Pappalardo said, removing parking spaces is always difficult. But Swan Pond was never designed to be a parking lot. There were buildings there. When the town took it over, it was to be used as parking only by Town of Old Lyme residents.
Ms. May said that she thought this was a valuable plan, and a step forward for both Sound View and the Town. As for parking, there were lots charging $5 this summer and they were still empty.
Angelo Grasso, Swan Avenue Parking Lot owner, said he thought the plan was moving forward too quickly, and that the dilapidated buildings on Hartford Avenue should be a priority. Mr. Grasso stated that he supported the idea of a park, and of improving the area, but the street improvements should come first.
Mr. Pappalardo agreed that the blighted buildings on Hartford Avenue presented a serious problem, but as a Town, we don’t have unlimited budget to change the area, and there is no grant funding for that type of project. Also, the Town does not yet have a blight ordinance. There is a newly-formed blight committee which is making recommendations to the Town.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that the Health Department and the Fire Marshall have taken steps to require that certain things be done regarding those buildings. Some things may take longer, but proper procedures must be followed.
Mr. Pappalardo urged people to look at the park project as part of a long-term vision for the area. Joe Camean, the Selectmen, and others have talked to people about investing in the area. The first question developers ask is what is the town doing about it? We have to start somewhere. This is the opportunity we have available. Grant funds are available now for this project. We have spent several years listening to the community. People overwhelmingly want restrooms and they want the overcrowding and quality of life issues dealt with. This is a rare opportunity to have this paid for. We obtained funding for conceptuals done by an engineering firm that specializes in this kind of work. We now have a rare opportunity to access grant funding, which may not be there next year.
Mary Stone, Mile Creek Rd., said she doesn’t live in the beach area, but has always considered Hartford Avenue a potential area waiting to happen. Improving the traffic flow, providing incentives so people who would like to invest in these buildings will see that there’s an improved quality of life and behavior here. If Hartford Avenue was developed up to its potential and made more of a year-round area, it would be wonderful for the town. No plan is perfect, but this one makes such a visible improvement, with such a negligible financial impact.
Frank Maratta asked if the parking lot would be open at night.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that she thought nighttime hours were possible, but would be determined by our experiences going forward. Mrs. Reemsnyder added that she has met with investors who are interested in the buildings here, and has had OPM down here to look at Hartford Ave. There is a CT Main Street investment fund, which might apply to Hartford Avenue and some of the businesses on 156, to create a gateway to the beach area. The area should be comfortable for people to want to stop, take the kids out of the car and enjoy the area. Main Street America matches funds to redevelop main streets. Money is tough to come by, but we are looking for every opportunity. This project is an exhibit, an example to show potential investors that the town is interested in moving forward in a positive manner.
Mrs. Hillhouse asked if the planned landscaping would be salt resistant.
Mr. Pappalardo said the landscape engineer spoke about the vegetation and there are many plants and trees well suited for the environment of the area.
Ms. Maratta asked if the money is not available in time, is there a backup plan? Frank Pappalardo said there’s a 23-week timeline from the day we start to ribbon cutting. If we get approval in January, can we have parking lot/kiosks in by Memorial Day? Yes. Probably the bathrooms and landscaping will have to wait till end of season, but the lot and kiosks could be done.
Mrs. Reemsnyder said the focus would be on getting the kiosks for street parking. We will prioritize the kiosks, so parking can be streamlined.
Scott Boulanger, Pond Road, (President, Federation of Beaches) said this project is the largest game-changer amongst all the other improvements. If this moves forward, there’s a huge possibility for businesses growing down here and the area thriving. I have some concern about possibly adding to flooding issues. Mr. Pappalardo said he had addressed this with the engineers and they said it would not add to the flooding problem. We are interested in making it better.
Scott Boulanger asked if the Town has funds from this year’s parking, why not use those funds to pay for the project? This is a great way to turn this area around. If everyone can work together, this is a positive step in the right direction. Great job.
Frank Pappalardo explained that the revenue from the Town lot goes into the general fund.
Mr. Pappalardo brought this section of the meeting to a close, saying there will be two further presentations regarding the project, and that the entire presentation would be available for viewing on the town website.
9.26: Beachfront Issues Update: None
Safety Update: None
9.28 pm Parking Update: Mr. Pappalardo said there have been many concerns raised regarding the fluctuating parking rates. We would like to form a subcommittee to suggest solutions to these issues.
Ms. Pearson said she strongly supported solidifying the Town rates for parking, and that the town should not negotiate rates downward, because that causes confusion for visitors and undercuts the private permitted lots. The Town lot should have set rates just as other town beaches do.
Mr. Pappalardo outlined the structure of the proposed subcommittee. It would have a minimum of 5 members: 1 parking lot owner, 1 business owner
1 member of the Commission, 1 Sound View resident, 1 resident at large. Subcommittee could be larger, if more people are interested in serving, but should be small enough to allow for regular meetings of the group. Will be tasked by Commission to look at specifics. Agendas, meeting minutes posted for FOIA. Selectman Sibley suggested a simple application process. The application will be on town website. Joann Lishing motioned to establish this subcommittee. Russ Carlo seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
9.14 Motion to Adjourn
Russ Carlo motioned to adjourn.
Harry Plaut seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting: Monday, 10/24/12 at the Shoreline Community Center on Hartford Ave.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michaelle Pearson
Secretary
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